2026 Best Biology Studies Schools in California
Biology Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 177 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best biology studies schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Biology Studies in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the biology studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Biology Studies
San Francisco State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best biology studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 385 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $36,259. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Read more about the biology studies program at San Francisco State University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 160 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $36,642 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete this degree.
See the full biology studies program report for University Of California Berkeley
San Jose State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 222 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year.
See the full biology studies program report for San Jose State University
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 377 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $33,486 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,586 to complete this degree.
Read more about the biology studies program at University Of California Santa Barbara
A rank of #5 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for biology studies. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 117 biology studies degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
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University Of California Davis came in at #6 for biology studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 389 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from University Of California Davis earn around $35,241 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
See the full biology studies program report for University Of California Davis
California State University Sacramento placed #7 among the best biology studies schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 285 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $48,564 in their early career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $15,019 in student loans.
See the full biology studies program report for California State University Sacramento
University Of California San Diego earned the #8 position for biology studies this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 476 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $52,979. Typical student debt for the program is $17,667.
See the full biology studies program report for University Of California San Diego
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #9 spot for biology studies this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 141 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $37,651 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,703.
See the full biology studies program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
San Diego State University earned the #10 position for biology studies this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 277 biology studies degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $33,597 early in their careers. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $17,998 in student loans.
Read more about the biology studies program at San Diego State University
Santa Clara University came in at #11 for biology studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Santa Clara. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 47 biology studies degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $36,270 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,941 to complete this degree.
See the full biology studies program report for Santa Clara University
California State University Fullerton came in at #12 for biology studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 254 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $67,422 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans.
See the full biology studies program report for California State University Fullerton
Pomona College came in at #13 for biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 12 biology studies degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $75,954 in their early career.
Read more about the biology studies program at Pomona College
University Of California Merced placed #14 among the best biology studies schools. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. University Of California Merced graduates 69% of students within six years. About 286 biology studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Biology Studies graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $36,140 early in their careers. University Of California Merced graduates carry a median of $18,325 in student loans.
See the full biology studies program report for University Of California Merced
California Institute Of Technology came in at #15 for biology studies this year. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 biology studies degrees were awarded at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career.
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Claremont Mckenna College came in at #16 for biology studies this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Claremont Mckenna College awarded about 14 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of Claremont Mckenna College earn a median of $66,028 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #17 among the best biology studies schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 170 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $35,638 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,949 to complete this degree.
Read more about the biology studies program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
California State University Long Beach came in at #18 for biology studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Long Beach awarded about 347 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $35,053. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
See the full biology studies program report for California State University Long Beach
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 462 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their biology studies degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $28,242 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,028.
More information about a degree in biology studies from University Of California Los Angeles
Mission College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best biology studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Mission College is a large public university. About 102 biology studies degrees were awarded at Mission College in the most recent year. Typical student debt for the program is $17,223.
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California State University San Marcos placed #21 among the best biology studies schools. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 167 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at California State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Biology Studies graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $38,527 early in their careers. California State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $24,174 in student loans.
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Scripps College placed #22 among the best biology studies schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 22 biology studies students who graduated with this degree at Scripps College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in biology studies from Scripps College
Sonoma State University landed the #23 spot for biology studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Sonoma State University awarded about 92 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $34,074 in their early career. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
See the full biology studies program report for Sonoma State University
University Of Southern California placed #24 among the best biology studies schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 78 biology studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, biology studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $20,210. Typical student debt for the program is $5,500.
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California State University East Bay landed the #25 spot for biology studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Hayward. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. About 108 biology studies degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Graduates of the biology studies program make about $44,370 in their early career. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans.
Get the full biology studies details for California State University East Bay
Rest of the Top 50 Biology Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong biology studies education:
More Biology Studies Rankings
View All Biology Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 177 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
